pardon my nostalgia

i'd forgotten how much i love ncfca. the sense of nervousness you feel when you stand up in front of the judges. the relief when you finish a speech and do well. the exhilaration you get when you hear your name followed by the forensics clap. the excitement that hits you when you make it to the final round.

the incredibly unique bonds you create with your fellow speechers.

there's something about getting up and doing something that most americans fear even more than death and doing it well. the work is hard and tiring. the memorizing is torturous. the blocking is a pain. the speeches, more often than not, are emotionally and physically draining. but there's nothing quite like the breathless waiting right before the announcer calls out the breaks. there's something special about walking up on stage and receiving a reward for your hard work. there's an incredible sense of loyalty as you shout and clap for a friend winning a well deserved first place.

when you're in ncfca, you're with family.

i miss it.